ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Major steps by Government to scale-up rooftop solar capacity in the country
Major steps taken to scale-up rooftop solar in the country, inter-alia, include:
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- Launch of Rooftop Solar Programme Ph-II with CFA for residential sector and incentives in slabs for the DISCOMs for achievement of additional RTS capacity in a year over and above the installed RTS capacity of the previous year.
- Launch of National Portal where residential consumers from any part of the country can apply for installation of rooftop solar and get subsidy directly into his bank account under the Programme.
- Development of online portals at DISCOM level and aggregation of demand relating to RTS projects.
- Preparation of model MoU, PPA and Capex Agreement for expeditious implementation of RTS projects in Government Sector.
- Electricity  Rules, 2020 has been issued for net-metering up to five hundred Kilowatt or upto the electrical sanctioned load, whichever is lower.
- Online portal developed for expediting project approval, report submission and monitoring progress of implementation of RTS projects.
- Facilitation of concessional loans from multilateral agencies such as the World Bank.
- Renewable energy included under priority sector lending guidelines of RBI.
- Declaration of trajectory of renewable Purchase Obligation  upto year 2030
- Quality standards for deployment of solar photovoltaic system/ devises notified.
- Innovative business models for RTS prescribed.
- Information and public awareness activities through various mediums.
This information was given by Shri R.K Singh, Union Minister for Power and New and Renewable Energy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM pays tribute to Mahatma Jyotiba Phule on his birth anniversary
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has paid tribute to the great social reformer, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule on his birth anniversary. Shri Modi also recalled his towering contribution to social justice and empowering the downtrodden. Shri Modi also shared his thoughts on Mahatma Jyotiba Phule via a video clip.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"On his birth anniversary, I bow to Mahatma Phule and recall his towering contribution to social justice and empowering the downtrodden. His thoughts give hope and strength to millions."
Ministry of Defence
PM Scholarship Scheme
The rate of scholarship under Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme has been revised from Rs 2,000/-p.m. to Rs 2,500/-p.m.for boys and Rs 2,250/-pm to Rs3,000/-pm for girls w.e.f. academic year 2019-20.
A total number of 9,923 of beneficiaries have been given scholarship under Prime Minister’s Scholarship Scheme during the last academic year 2018-19. State-wise and Ministry-wise breakup is as under:-
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|
Sl. No.
|
|
State/UT
|
|
Ministry of Defence
|
|
Ministry of Home
|
|
Ministry of Railways
|
|
1
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
|
579
|
|
535
|
|
Railways function on Zonal Railway Pattern and State wise data is not maintained
|
|
2
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
3
|
|
Assam
|
|
69
|
|
35
|
|
4
|
|
Bihar
|
|
74
|
|
330
|
|
5
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
|
36
|
|
22
|
|
6
|
|
Delhi
|
|
79
|
|
204
|
|
7
|
|
Goa
|
|
11
|
|
3
|
|
8
|
|
Gujarat
|
|
30
|
|
57
|
|
9
|
|
Haryana
|
|
163
|
|
157
|
|
10
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
|
174
|
|
161
|
|
11
|
|
Jammu & Kashmir
|
|
42
|
|
64
|
|
12
|
|
Jharkhand
|
|
23
|
|
62
|
|
13
|
|
Karnataka
|
|
531
|
|
320
|
|
14
|
|
Kerala
|
|
931
|
|
403
|
|
15
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
|
40
|
|
183
|
|
16
|
|
Maharashtra
|
|
535
|
|
132
|
|
17
|
|
Manipur
|
|
0
|
|
9
|
|
18
|
|
Meghalaya
|
|
0
|
|
3
|
|
19
|
|
Mizoram
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
20
|
|
Nagaland
|
|
0
|
|
1
|
|
21
|
|
Orissa
|
|
202
|
|
94
|
|
22
|
|
Punjab
|
|
44
|
|
83
|
|
23
|
|
Rajasthan
|
|
159
|
|
147
|
|
24
|
|
Sikkim
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
25
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
|
671
|
|
372
|
|
26
|
|
Tripura
|
|
9
|
|
5
|
|
27
|
|
Telangana
|
|
185
|
|
323
|
|
28
|
|
Uttrakhand
|
|
57
|
|
328
|
|
29
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
|
213
|
|
520
|
|
30
|
|
West Bengal
|
|
135
|
|
186
|
|
31
|
|
Andman& Nicobar
|
|
0
|
|
2
|
|
32
|
|
Chandigarh
|
|
15
|
|
40
|
|
33
|
|
Puducherry
|
|
21
|
|
10
|
|
Total
|
|
5028
|
|
4791
|
|
104
The scheme helps the youth in their career education as it provides financial support for various Professional Degree Courses like BE, B. Tech, BDS, MBBS, B.Ed, BBA, BCA, B. Pharma, etc. which are covered under the scheme and are duly recognized by the respective Government Regulatory Bodies, such as All India Council for Technical Education , Medical Council of India and University Grants Commission .
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Naik in a written reply to Shri Shantanu Thakurin Lok Sabha today.
ABB/SS/Nampi/Savvy
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Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Update on COVID-19 Vaccine Availability in States/UTs
More than 193.53 Crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs
More than 13.40 Crore balance and unutilized vaccine doses still available with States/UTs
The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country. The nationwide COVID 19 vaccination started on 16th January 2021. The new phase of universalization of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21st June 2021. The vaccination drive has been ramped up through availability of more vaccines, advance visibility of vaccine availability to States and UTs for enabling better planning by them, and streamlining the vaccine supply chain.
As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, Government of India has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID Vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalization of the COVID19 vaccination drive, the Union Government will procure and supply  75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to States and UTs.
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|
VACCINE DOSES
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|

|
|
SUPPLIED
|
|
1,93,53,58,865
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|
BALANCE AVAILABLE
|
|
13,40,04,935
More than 193.53 crore  vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far through Govt. of India  and through direct state procurement category.
More than 13.40 Cr  balance and unutilized COVID Vaccine doses are still available with the States/UTs to be administered.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves establishment of the International Rice Research Institute , South Asia Regional Center  at campus of National Seed Research and Training Center  in Varanasi
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the establishment of the International Rice Research Institute , South Asia Regional Center  at campus of National Seed Research and Training Center  in Varanasi.
Under the proposal, a Centre of Excellence in Rice Value Addition  will be set up in Varanasi. This will include a modern and sophisticated laboratory with capacity to determine quality and status of heavy metals in grain and straw. The Centre will also undertake capacity building exercises for stakeholders across the rice value chain.
This Center will be the first international Center in the eastern India and it will play a major role in harnessing and sustaining rice production in the region. It is expected to be a boon for food production and skill development in the eastern India and similar ecologies in other South Asian and African countries.
Benefits from ISARC
The Centre will help in utilizing the rich biodiversity of India to develop special rice varieties. This will help India to achieve higher per hectare yields and improved nutritional contents. India's food and nutritional security issues will also be addressed. The Centre will support in adopting value chain based production system in the country. This will reduce wastage, add value and generate higher income for the farmers. The farmers in Eastern India will benefit in particular, besides those in South Asian and African countries.
Management of ISARC
ISARC will operate under the governance of the IRRI Board of Trustees who will appoint an appropriate IRRI staff member as Director. A Coordination Committee will be headed by Director General, IRRI as Chair and Secretary, Government of India, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers Welfare  as Co-Chair. The other members of Coordination Committee are Deputy Director General , ICAR; Director, NSRTC; IRRI representative in India, representative of Government of UP and representatives of Governments of Nepal & Bangladesh and Private Sector.
For setting up of the Centre, A Memorandum of Agreement, will be signed between DAC&FW and IRRI, Philippines. The Department of DAC&FW will provide physical space for laboratories, offices, training classes, etc. with associated infrastructure and land at NSRTC, Varanasi. The Centre will be commissioned within six months.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Agarbatti sector to bring back livelihoods for local communities
Efforts are on for Indian Agarbatti to go global
National Bamboo Mission launches MIS module for strengthening domestic Agarbatti industry
National Bamboo Mission has launched an MIS  based reporting platform for agarbatti stick production to collate the locations of stick making units, availability of raw material, functioning of the units, production capacity, marketing, etc. With the help of this module, the linkages with the industry will be synergised better to enable seamlessly procurement from production units and information gaps can be plugged. All NBM States are in the process of documenting all the units to assess better how further support can be given for ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Make for the World’ since Indian agarbatti are much sought after in global markets.
National Bamboo Mission , Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises , Khadi and Village Industries Commission  schemes as well as States, together r with industry partners have stepped up focused support to enable India to become Atma Nirbhar in the agarbatti sector, to bring back livelihoods for the local communities while at the same time modernising the sector too. The agarbatti sector traditionally provided large scale employment to the local workforce, which however dwindled due to various factors including the ingress of cheap imports of round sticks and raw batti. A comprehensive study was carried out by NBM in 2019 following which policy measures taken by the Government of moving raw batti imports from free to restricted category in Aug 2019 and increasing import duty on round stick uniformly to 25% in June 2020 came as a boost to the domestic units.
Background of NBM
The restructured National Bamboo Mission  was launched in 2018-19 for holistic development of the bamboo sector through a cluster-based approach in a hub  and spoke model to harness the opportunities by providing backward and forward linkages among the stakeholders – linking farmers to markets. There is a huge potential to place Indian bamboo products in the domestic as well as global markets with the latest technologies, modern processing and by generating awareness on compliance requirements for destination countries. The Mission is streamlining its interventions to enhance domestic industrial activities as well as augmenting the farmer’s income with support from technical agencies and facilitative steps. Direct subsidy of 50% is given to farmers at Rs 1.00 lakh per ha, 100% to Government agencies and also to entrepreneurs for setting up various product development units, etc. The Mission is presently being executed by 21 States, including all the 9 States of NER through the respective State Bamboo Missions. NBM is also advising States to make available quality planting material to the farmers out to carry out plantations of commercially required species, set up common facility centres and other post-harvest units in complete sync with the requirement of existing and sunrise industries for a win-win situation for farmers and Indian bamboo industry.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President underscores the important role of rural economy in the growth of the country
Farmers’ welfare inextricably linked with economic progress: Vice President
VP describes agriculture as a ‘Yagna’ and calls for modernizing agriculture
VP praises farmers for their selfless service during the pandemic
VP presents Rythu Nestham Awards at a function organized at Swarna Bharat Trust
The Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu today underlined the important role of rural economy in the progress of the country and said that it is inextricably linked with the well-being of the farmers.
Praising farmers for standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other frontline warriors during the pandemic and ensuring a record food grain production in the country, he said the selfless service rendered by them is unforgettable.
Presenting awards to farmers, extension officials and journalists for their contribution to the field of agriculture at a function organised by Muppavarapu Foundation and Rythu Nestham at Swarna Bharath Trust here, he said that recognizing and rewarding meritorious people is part of the Indian culture. It not only spurs the recipients of the awards to do better but also inspires others.
Describing agriculture as a ‘Yagna’, he lauded the Indian farmers for trying to adopt modern practices and for their remarkable achievement in feeding millions of people.
Shri Naidu urged the farming community to bestow special attention on environmental protection. In this regard, he advised every farmer to accord importance to tree plantation and conservation of water.
He said that at a time when science and technology are driving the progress of the world, agriculture cannot lag behind and has to adopt modern scientific practices. It is not the sole responsibility of the government to make agriculture profitable. Every stakeholder must come forward to enable the farmer to reap the benefits of modernization.
The Vice President also urged educated youth to develop an interest in agriculture and provide technical help to farmers.
He also appealed to the private sector to come forward and invest in modernizing agriculture. Stressing the need for a wider debate on modernization of agriculture, he said that scientists, policymakers and media should take the lead in this matter.
On this occasion, the Vice President also released books relating to agriculture. Earlier, he went around an exhibition of modern agricultural implements.
The Vice President lauded Shri Yadlapati Venkateswara Rao for not only bringing out Rythu Nestham monthly magazine to educate the farmers for the last 17 years, but also for instituting awards.
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Additional 1,14,000 vials of Liposomal Amphotericin B allocated to all States/UTs & Central Institutions – Shri D.V Sadananda Gowda
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri D.V Sadananda Gowda announced that an additional 1,14,000 vials of Liposomal Amphotericin-B, used in the treatment for Mucormycosis have been allocated to all the States/UTs and Central Institutions today.
The Minister also informed that so far, over 11 Lakh vials have been allocated across the country, maintaining adequate availability to patients of Mucormycosis.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister launches key development projects at Kalaburagi and Kancheepuram
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today, launched key development projects at Kalaburagi in Karnataka and Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu.
At Kalaburagi in Karnataka, the Prime Minister dedicated the ESIC Hospital and Medical College, Bengaluru to the nation, through the unveiling of the plaque. He also inaugurated the Super Specialty Block of KIMS in Hubali, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal building in Bangalore and the Women’s Hostel for Students from North Eastern Region at Bangalore University, through the press of button. Foundation stone forthe resitement of BPCL depot Raichur to Kalaburagi was also laid by the Prime Minister through the unveiling of plaque.
The Prime Minister also interacted with the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana: Ayushman Bharat.
At Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu, the Prime Minister launched various National Highway projects, including the foundation stone for the four laning of NH-45C from Vikravandi to Thanjavur and the six laning of Karaipettai – Walajapet section of NH-4. He dedicated the 5 MMTPA capacity Ennore LNG Terminal to the nation. The LNG terminal willhelp in meeting the LNG demand in Tamil Nadu and neighboring States. He also dedicated the electrification of Erode-Karur-Tiruchchirapalli and Salem-Karur-Dindigul railway lines to the nation.
The Prime Minister also unveiled the statue of Dr. MG Ramachandran at Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts & Science for Women, Chennai through video link.
The development works launched today will greatly benefit the people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh calls for celebrating the “Teeka Utsav” by facilitating vaccination for eligible
Union Minister of State  Development of North Eastern Region , MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh today called for celebrating the “Teeka Utsav” by facilitating vaccination among those who require it and who are entitled to receive the jab in the current phase of the vaccination drive.
Speaking in a Virtual discussion on the occasion of "Teeka Utsav" today, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also an eminent medical professional and Diabetologist, dwelt at length on India’s fight against COVID and the optimum way to respond to the “new normal” as an individual and as a community.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, while as responsible citizens, it is the obligation of each one of us to act as a catalyst in the Vaccination Drive, at the same time it is also our social responsibility to help our friends and acquaintances to overcome unwarranted apprehensions about COVID. He said, particularly those who have recovered from COVID should take upon themselves the responsibility to spread awareness about the disease because the narration of their first-hand experience can be more effective in reducing the stigma and many myths.
Reiterating the four-point Mantra spelt out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, based on  each one - vaccinate one,  each one - treat one,  each one - save one, and  setting up micro-containment zones, Dr Jitendra Singh said, in the next four days, the drive has to be carried out at multiple levels including personal level, social level and administrative level. Nevertheless, he hastened to add that even after the vaccination, self-discipline has to be maintained to observe COVID-appropriate behaviour.
Based on several reports and research papers, Dr Jitendra Singh said, even if one has gone through an episode of COVID and recovered from it, there is still need to continue the guard and follow the same guidelines without being complacent by the thought that one has developed antibodies and there is no need for precautions. He said, the medical fraternity is still in the process of learning more about the disease and only long-term follow-up will answer all the questions. Meanwhile, even though antibodies might have developed after the episode of COVID, there is not enough evidence to claim that re-infection is totally ruled out, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the importance of preventive and promotive behaviour which has got reaffirmed in the social psyche following the COVID experience, will have a larger implication on individual well-being, because it will also serve to protect from many a lifestyle disease. He said, the importance of a disciplined lifestyle with a balanced healthy diet, regular physical activity, etc, which has been re-imposed by the COVID will also help as a prevention against many a modern day diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Coronary Heart disease, etc.
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Special Service and Features
Brief on the illegal telecom setups busted in Chennai City, Tamil Nadu
A team of officials/officers from Department of Telecommunications , Tamil Nadu LSA, BSNL Chennai Telephones, Airtel TN and Tamil Nadu Police jointly raided the suspected Locations in Triplicate, Royapettah and T Nagar areas of Chennai city and busted three illegal telecom set ups.
It has been found that illegal telecom set ups, consisting of Subscriber Identification Module  boxes and wireless internet routers were used to terminate international calls as local calls bypassing the licensed International Long- Distance  gateways.
The SIM box fraud, is a setup where fraudsters team up with partners abroad to route international calls through the internet using Voice over Internet Protocol . These international calls will appear as local calls with local/national CLI. Such illegal telecom setups pose threat to national security in addition to causing revenue loss to the Telecom Service Providers  and Government exchequer.
Illegal telephone setups at three locations in Chennai city were busted on 12.01.2023 . The equipment and setups were seized by the CCB TN police Chennai. The setup consisted of the following:No of SIM Boxes 15No of Airtel and BSNL SIMs used: 1000Wireless Router with SIM for internet: 12Stray SIM cards and other accessories were also seized.Airtel TN has filed FIR against the accused who performed the unlawful activities.
DoT has notified a toll free number "1800 110 420 / 1963" on which the public can inform DoT Call Centre about receipt of an international call with local/national CLI or without CLI , according to a press release issued by M.VENALAH, ITS., Director  O/o Advisor TN LSA DOT, Chennai-8
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Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Road owing agencies of Ministry of Road Transport and Highways undertake regular inspections, contractors directed to take necessary corrective measures to remove substandard works
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways,  collects and compiles the road accident data from police department of all States/UTs. Accordingly, Ministry brings out annual publication “Road Accident in India” providing data/ information on various facets of road accidents in the Country. Till date Ministry has collected and compiled information up to year 2021.
MoRTH is primarily responsible for construction and maintenance of National Highways . In order to make the NH stretches pothole free, regular maintenance activities are carried out by road owning agencies of Ministry through concessionaires, contractors etc. Concerned project officials inspect the project highways under their respective jurisdictions and take suitable short term and long-term preventive/ remedial measures as per the site requirements.
For ensuring good quality of roads, on NH stretches, repair & maintenance is carried out as per Contract agreement with contractors/ concessionaires. Further, various steps are taken by the Government to monitor and check the construction quality of NHs. All NHs are constructed as per quality standards specified in various codes and guidelines issued by the Ministry and Indian Roads Congress . This is further ensured by Authority’s Engineer/ Independent Engineers through day-to-day supervision of implementation of quality assurance & control as specified in contract/ concession agreement. If during supervision, any sub-standard work is found, the same is rectified and re-laid in accordance with the prescribed specifications.
The complaints regarding quality of construction work on NHs are also addressed on regular basis and corrective measures are taken thereof. Officials of all Road owing agencies of Ministry undertake regular inspections and contractors are directed to take necessary corrective measures to remove substandard works. In case of any defaults, action is taken against defaulting agencies as per the provisions of agreements.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.